Linda Smith

I was very sorry to hear that Linda Smith had died. And only 48 - so very young. She was truly a part of the fabric of Radio 4 and no surprise to find she was voted the wittiest person on radio - and described by her friend Jeremy Hardy "She was the greatest Englishwoman." She's going to be missed - and so much more could have been expected from her.
What else has happened today? Well, the bird flu is now cat flu - a domestic cat has been diagnosed in Germany. Time to stop all animals and birds being transported in and out of Britain now. I'm going to try and avoid eating chicken - although how can we stop eating eggs - they are included in so many foodstuffs nowadays.
Reading: I finished Truman Capote's "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I was impressed by his writing style and there were some very good short stories included in the same volume. Maybe I should try and find "In Cold Blood"
I've now moved on to the epic tale of the American Civil War "Cold Mountain". Although I'm only a few pages in, I'm already gripped!
And I'm still looking for suggestions about films to go and see. Trouble is there is a Book Event at my local library on Saturday - can I manage both?

Another film this weekend

I'm determined to watch a film every week - any recommendations? What is good out now?

Is spring on hold?

Well I'm not impressed - snow in large quantities is on its' way. Hopefully not as much as New York, but the UK doesn't deal with snow terribly well.
Meanwhile - and I don't know if this is weather related but my arthritis really is playing me up. Tonight I ordered a walking stick on line - I'm in so much pain. The hips have improved, but my knees and feet are killing me.

Sunday Nights

So what am I worrying about tonight? Well first of all that I'm a worrier - that is pretty worrying for a start. Here's the list:
It is far too cold and I think it will snow soon.
There is likely to be a drought and how will I carry vast quantities of water up three flights of stairs?
There is going to be a bird flu pandemic in the next few months and we're all going to die
There is going to be a civil war in Iraq - which will spread throughout the Middle East
Iran will get a nuclear bomb and war will break out - and we're all going to die
When will my retirement come through?
On the up side I watched "Sense & Sensibility" this afternoon and I loved it.

Amir Khan

Now I'm not really a boxing fan - violence is not my thing at all. But there is something very intriguing about the awesome Amir Khan - looking very seroius in this picture, but also incredibly fit and much in him that I admire! He won (yet again) tonight - at Excel in East London - very close to where I live. Perhaps I should have offered him a place to rest after the fight?

Good Night and Good Luck

I went to see George Clooney's film about Ed Murrow & the McCarthyite witch hunt of the early 1950s. One of the interesting features of this film is the fact that it is black & white, probably because there is quite a few 'inserts' from contemporary TV & film pieces - featuring the anti-communist senator & Liberace amongst others. I didn't realise the lack of colour once the film got under way. I know quite a bit about this period of American history and I'm not sure whether this film contributed very much to my knowledge. So I was quite disappointed by the lack of political invective. There were two memorable parts to the film. One was the interogation of Mrs Moss - an African American recently employed in the code room of the pentagon. She clearly looked bewildered by the accusations of Communist sympathies. This indicated the level of desperation by Senator McCarthy and his cohorts to carry a hysterical crusade against a supposed enemy within. (Was this supposed to be a comment on current American/western Islamaphobia?) The second scene was a speech (Eisenhower possibly?) praising habeas corpus as the bulwark against detention without charge or trial. I suppose this was aimed at Guantanamo Bay and the appalling continuing indefinite detention of the alleged 'war criminals/terrorists'.
Rating out of 10? 7 perhaps. Brokeback still gets a 10 from me.
Next week Capote.

The Cruellest month?

I reckon February is the worst month of the year. This probably doesn't apply in the southern hemisphere - but here in London, although the evenings are getting lighter, and the parks are full of crocuses (croci?) with hints of spring - but not in the air because it is oh so cold. Now cold of this kind in Switzerland or Canada is probably bearable but here in the UK it is just a gloomy kind of cold, with sleet in the air. We regularly get snow in Britain, but it is always a dirty, slushy snow within hours, or more likely days. Most of us are are suffering (I'm fairly certain) from SAD - a depression brought on by lack of sunlight and gloom. I know I am! My chest (never good) feels tight, and I'm weezing and breathless. As someone remarked to me - 40 years ago I'd be in a sanatorium in Scotland breathing in the fresh highland air. In fact when I went for a stay in the London Chest Hospital last year there was still evidence of the large balconies that were used prior to the Second World War to contain the beds of the patients - they were wheeled out on to them at night and were regularly covered with frost or snow in the morning. Kill or cure I suppose. I'm going to try and find some pictures of snowdrops or crocuses now!
I was lucky - I found a picture of crocuses in the park next to where I work in East London. I've also found a picture of what it was like shortly after it opened around 1900.

Blog 79!!!

Seems strange that I've already produced 79 blogs. AND there have been 660 visitors to my profile - nice to have so many visitors!
I went to my book group last night. We had read Bernice Rubens' 'The Elected Member'. We all seemed to enjoy it, apart from C who thought it was just too gloomy and harrowing and couldn't finish it. It was a hard read, and quite challenging. I also read Ms Rubens' 'Mr Wakefield's Crusade'. I probably enjoyed that more. I think I've now read five of her novels. Her best (to my mind) was 'The Sergeant's Tale'. All her books are about people living at the margins or on the edge - sometimes of insanity. Worthwhile reading though, always has something interesting to say.
Our next book is 'Arthur & George' by Julian Barnes.
I'm currently reading the latest book by Simon Brett 'The Witness at the Wedding'. All his books are so easy to read - but gripping too. They are true murder mysteries of the old style.

Book Group

So tonight I go to the book group. This month we are discussing 'The Elected Member' by Bernice Rubens. I've also read another book by Ms Rubens 'Mr Wakefield's Crusade'. Both are a touch off the wall - I'll be interested to hear what the others thinks.

A film for the weekend?

OK has anyone out there seen either 'Capote' or 'Goodnight and Good Luck'? If so let me know what you think of them please. If you've recently seen another film worth seeing please let me know - I reckon I need to go to see a film over this weekend!

BAFTA Brokeback pictures

Congratulations Brokeback Mountain

At the BAFTAs (British version of the Oscars) last night Brokeback Mountain swept the board with awards in most categories - including best film and an award for Ang Lee. I was pleased when one recipient said 'Lets get this straight - this is not a gay cowboy movie. The main characters are not cowboys - they are shepherds. This is a GAY SHEPHERD MOVIE!!!'
I wonder if Brokeback will do as well at the Oscar awards .

Useful and acceptable gifts

Some friends of mine have recently returned from China. This is not their first visit. They have seen tremendous changes in the past decade or so. Clearly the eras of western supremacy are drawing to an end and now China and India will be soon replacing Europe as the supreme world authorities. I met up with them today and looked through the wonderful photographs that they had returned with. We had some wonderful dim sum at a restaurant I'd greatly recommend. Go to: http://www.yi-ban.com (Select the docklands branch). The food is wonderful and the outlook stunning.
I was then presented with a wonderful souvenir of their trip - not valuable but such fun. It was an alarm clock . The face of the clock has an enormous picture of Chairman Mao with his right arm outstretched. Beneath him is an army of workers soldiers and peasants linked arm in arm celebrating his glories. The best bit though is the fact that as the clock ticks Chairman Mao's outstretched arm waves in benediction over his supporters. I love it!
For those wanting to know where the title of this comes from - it is from a monologue by Joyce Grenfell.

The Mystery that is Marple!

I'm just watching the latest (but last in the series) of Miss Marple Mysteries on ITV1. Apart from the mystery inherent in an Agatha Christie adaptation the question I have is how do they manage to accumulate so many stars on this Sunday evening crime slot. This week John Hurt is in it, and so is June Whitfield. Last week there was Harry Enfield and Frances de la Tour, the previous week Dawn French. So not only whodunnit but how do they do it!

Hi on a Saturday!

Welcome visitors! I've now had over 600 visitors to my profile - and lots of e-mails from fellow bloggers. I'm adding a picture from Brokeback again - just because I feel like it!
There have been two TV programmes this week I'd recommend - The First Emperor about the creation of China as one nation, and this evening a programme about the Celts. These are the people who were the inhabitants of the British Isles when Julius Caesar dropped in as a visitor before the birth of Christ. Interesting they were immigrants from elsewhere (like modern Britain really 2000 years ago Britain was a multi cultural country). This is Channel 4 doing what it does best - cultural and educational programmes in an entertaining way.
I'm now reading another Bernice Rubens - and as usual it is full of odd perspectives on people living on the edge of normal society, behaving in an obsessional way.
I bet get reading fast though - bird flu is sweeping across Europe and should shut the country down by late March, making us all escape into quarantine - I'll be stocking up in preparation very soon.

Bizarre

I've just heard the man shot by VP Dick Cheney speaking on the radio. He has been discharged from hospital. What I found bizarre was that he was apologising to the Vice President and family for all the distress 'this incident had caused them'!!!!! I'll awaiting the moment when the civilian victims of a bombing raid appear on TV saying 'I'm sorry we happen to be living in a town in Iraq and upset the pilots watching our houses being destroyed and our relatives killed'. Perhaps those who were filmed by British and American troops being beaten and humiliated should apologise for the bad publicity this gave to their tormentors.

I have a gripe

I've just finished reading 'The Story of the Night' by Colm Toibin. To begin with I was very pleased to be reading a 'gay' novel (which to me means a novel featuring gay characters in prominent roles). I was pleased that (like most novels) the sex was essential to the plot in the sense that this is what motivates a lot of people in forming and unforming relationships - socially and in business. The fact that some of the sex was same sex and some opposite sex was incidental. The central theme was an English family in Buenos Aires at the time of the Malvinas/Falklands War, and although the central character was gay it was really a description of anyone dealing with a time of political upheaval and how politics and business manipulate and operate. I was really enjoying it because this is a period I know a lot about from a British perspective - but know very little about the situation in Argentina. I just had this nagging worry that it was going to turn into the kind of gay novel I'm beginning to despair about.
Then it happened. Two friends turn up from San Francisco and one is dying of AIDS. The central character's lover announces his previous boyfriend had died of AIDS. We have graphic descriptions of HIV, AIDS, testing, symptoms and results. Then both these characters are diagnosed with AIDS and rapidly rushing towards death.
Now I know how important AIDS is to the lives of gay men - and we've all known friends or acquaintances that have died as a result of AIDS. BUT there are too many novelists who almost use AIDS as a kind of punishment for the fun times their characters have experienced before. It begins to appear that there is cause and effect. In the early chapters the gay characters meet have have sex with one or more men, and then bang PUNISHMENT - you've had a good time so now here is the lesson - you are going to die for being so happy and so very very bad. Give me a novelist who can write a book featuring characters who have normal happy relationships (interspersed of course by times that are not so good) but they just happen to be gay. This would be the final confirmation of true gay liberation!

Thanks for visiting!

Over 600 visits to my profile so far - welcome to you all. Hope you like the varied contents of my blog - any suggestions for topics always well received.

Keep on blogging

OK - so it is a StarTrek Voyager picture (again!) I was suddenly reminded of Star Trek because there is a programme on Channel 4 about the first Emperor of China - and the political manoeuvering shown on there shows that it is all timeless stuff - was and peace, leaders overthrown and replaced, economic problems, trading and weapons of mass destruction - from ancient China to inter gallatic exploration in the far future.

The other thing that doesn't seem to change is famine - mainly war induced famine, like the current terrible starvation facing Eastern Africa. Is the drought the result of global warming?

Related to royalty?

On the Richard & Judy Show today they are saying Prince William is about to be engaged to Kate Middleton. I'm sure this make me a cousin in law to the Queen. Will this guarantee my MBE? Or perhaps an Buckingham Palace garden party at least.

Join a world wide experiment on climate change

The BBC are looking to run (in co-operation with Oxford University) the largest climate change modelling exercise. They want to use computers throughout the world to run the programme via their screensavers. Loads of people have already joined (me included) and they want people from all over the world.
PLEASE JOIN! Go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/climatechange

St George for England

Fancy making St George's Day a National Holiday? Go to http://www.stgeorgesday.com/voting.asp I reckon it's a good idea cos it's my birthday!!!!

Saddam Hussain

It's all going to end in tears - the former President of Iraq is now on hunger strike (although he could probably do with losing a few pounds), and the latest chief judge has lost control over the procedings. Can't get any better can it - Iraq really is going to implode before too long.

Library Visit

I love visiting my local library. This time as I was going to check out my choice of books the librarian was having a conversation with another visitor. It urned out they were talking in Russian - the librarian was from Lithuanian (there is a big Lithuanian community locally - there is a whole section of books in Lithuanian in the library) the visitor had been at a University in Russia, but was originally from Latin America. I had an interesting chat to the librarian about places in Russia that I had visited. I went there thirty years ago. The librarian asked which cities I had visited - Moscow, St Petersburg? I replied that when I went there it was called Leningrad! I'd been there during the summer - when there is no darkness. What a beautiful city!
So which books did I decide on for the next three weeks?
I renewed Colm Toibin's 'The Story of the Night'. I've nearly finished it but I am getting disappointed that it is turning into a predictable 'gay life' tragedy. The first part was a fascinating description of life in Buenos Aires during the Falklands/Malvinas War. Now - towards the end it has turned into gay relationships destroyed by the shadow of AIDS story. It is a pity that so many novels about gay relationships seem so unusually tragic and blighted by death and disease.
I also selected: 'Cold Mountain' (Charles Frazier) - I am interested in the American Civil War period.
Anthony Trollope's 'The Small House in Allington' (always a good idea to read some Trollope from time to time)
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' by Truman Caopte is a nice slim volume and I've never read the book - but seen the film!
I was also delighted to find the latest Simon Brett Fethering Mystery ' The Witness at the Wedding', and finally a collection of short stories - 'The Rose City' by David Eberhoff.

Smoking Ban

Very pleased to hear that the UK parliament has voted overwhelmingly for a ban on smoking in all public places - without exceptions! I might start going to pubs again.

VP Hunter's victim worsens

I think this picture says a lot - it's off the official White House website about the Vice President. Here is Dick 'the shooter' Cheney doing what he likes best - looking for oil!
Very unfortunately the man he mistook for a quail earlier this week (although he seems to have not realised he'd done it for a couple of days) had a heart attack today. Yet another argument against hunting & in favour of gun control? I hear that the VP wasn't licensed to hunt quails in the first place. Chapter after chapter of accidents!

Blog 60

I've (as usual by accident) found another blog that I reckon is superb. It's a poetry blog. If you go to the comments on my previous blog you'll find the blog site on there to click on.
London is looking pretty gloomy today - it can't make up its' mind about what season it is in! At least we don't have several feet of snow like NYC!
I'll add to this blog as the day goes on.

A step too far?

I know someone (perhaps Shakespeare?) said we should kill all the lawyers - but isn't it a bit drastic that the Vice President of the United States should decide to shoot his own attorney? I know he was doing this under the cover of hunting (quail?) but really a 78 year old should not be treated in this way!
The other step too far is to find Leo Sayer at the top of the UK singles charts. Have I entered a time warp?

Sunday in the rain

I was surprised to see the rain this morning - I thought the South East of England was in a drought! Thanks too for the 513 visits to my profile - I hope some have found what I've been writing to be of interest.
It would be nice if more people commented, but I expect some are shy! I've inserted the Brokeback picture because I like it - no relevance.
The weather in the world is getting very confusing - in Ottawa it is warmer than usual, in the North East US there are inches of snow and people skiing down Broadway, NYC. The West Coast is cooler than usual, but the UK didn't (so far) get the coldest winter on record that had been forecast.
Bird flu has now reached swans in Bulgaria, Greece and Italy, is widespread in Nigeria, and killing people in Indonesia. No wonder the Danish government is recommending the evacuation of its' citizens. The controversy over the anti Islamic cartoons continues. It does worry me how disengaged so many young Muslims are in the UK. It must be very difficult reconciling many religious beliefs with the essentially secular society that is the United Kingdom. Bizarrely, of course, as the UK is theoretically a theocracy ruked over by a woman who is not only head of state, but God's ordained head of the world wide anglican church. No division of Church and State here - the Prime Minister appoints bishops and archbishops, every school must have a daily collective act of worship - and Christian festivals are marked on the BBC - but paradoxically no chance of creationism being taught in state schools, and unlike in America our Prime Minister would be laughed at if he ended broadcasts by saying 'God bless Britain' . No chance of having prayer meetings at our political party conventions.We all feel rather embarrassed if required to sing, or stand for the National Anthem (ironically 'God Save the Queen').

Worrying News

ITV News is just showing a film of alleged attacks on Iraqi civilians by British troops. Doesn't bode well for any troops destined for Afghanistan, and all those currently stationed in Southern Iraq. Very bad news.
Time to think about the exit strategy. British troops should be trying to solve the situation in Iraq. Now they seem to be causing problems, and should not be there.

Republican Convention (blog 56)

Saw this on another site - thought it was interesting. Part of a series of photographs taken at the recent Republican convention to re-nominate George W. The photographer is Canadian - and I wish I could remember their name - but I lost the site before I could note it down!

London views

I thought it was time I put up pictures of the wonderful city where I live - although I don't actually live next door to the Queen! I have seen her a couple of times though.

Buying a hamster

My friend J is buying a hamster. Now after the family budgie died recently she said 'never again'. I have to say that after my old and much beloved cat Ben died I was going to wait a few months and then get a kitten (because there are loads of strays needing good homes) but it never seemed quite the right moment. Should we really be encouraging the keeping of pets - what are the benefits and the bad things? I know I get extremely attached to animals myself - and was heart broken when Ben died - like an old friend. On the other hand animal rights campaigners are very against the trade in animals for pets - and should there be limits to what kind of pets we should own?

Islamaphobia

Thanks to the 471 people who have visited my profile! I hope a few are reading my blog too. This is number 53.
On the 'Today' programme there was a discussion about Islamaphobia. I was amazed to hear one contributor say that there was no proof of an increase in Islamaphobia because examples of spitting at Muslims, pushing & shoving, jostling and name calling was 'normal, expected, behaviour.' Have we really got to the point in Britain that someone who is different must just come to expect to be openly abused walking down the street, without it warranting comment or disapproval. What sort of society are we generating. Maybe that is the free speech people are upholding. As someone remarked free speech or all very well, but just think about the consequences. If you spit at a old Muslim woman probably nothing will happen, if you spit at a crowd of fit young Muslim men I don't think you can expect nothing to happen!
However, that shouldn't be the reason to think I won't attack those who will retaliate - you shouldn't be causing offence to anyone without very good cause - a spurious right of free speech is not enough.

Blog 52

Had a phone call - to do with sorting out the tickets I mentioned before - but in the course of the conversation found out that a friend's son had been mugged for his mobile phone - on the way to College. (that is early in the morning - broad daylight 9 a. m.) I really wonder what is going on.

Friday evening

No particular reason for this picture - but I do like Star Trek in all its' forms (although I didn't rate Deep Space Nine as highly as the others!)
I've just booked tickets for 'Hay Fever' with Dame Judi Dench at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket - a venue I adore, it'll be in May for a matinee performance. The day before I'll be showing some 'out of towners' the delights of London. I love being a tourist in my home City.

Sorry - I broke the rules!

I've just had this terrible e-mail from Adsense to say I broke their rules by mentioning products in my blogs & 'encouraging' clicks to my ads. They've taken away all my earnings (which I think amounted to about $15!) I'm a very bad boy.
BY THE WAY THIS IS BLOG NUMBER 50!!!!!!! Not bad for about three weeks!

We live in unusual times

Today it is really sunny in London - it makes you feel better to have sunshine.
In Scotland there was a by-election and the governing Labour Party was defeated. Probably not a surprise as this government has been in power for almost a decade.
What was odd that the victors were the Liberal Democrats. This a party whose leader resigned when he was exposed as an alcoholic, one of the contenders to replace him was revealed to have hired rent boys for two years, and another had difficulties in revealing his sexuality, denying it one day and then 'admitting' it the next. Perhaps all publicity is good publicity - but in scotland normally the protest vote goes to the Nationalists - who were well placed to suceed. As I said we live in unusual times!

Do you enjoy listening to books?

I do! Go to http://www.oneword.co.uk/listennow you can get books all day! I love it.

Dolly Parton

Good to hear her interview on Front Row tonight - what a great performer she is!

House

Anybody else like House?

Sorry I mentioned Bird Flu

I gather it's turned up in Nigeria - so maybe the earlier panic was justified after all!

Things to do on a Thursday

So this evening I now have two things to do. My friend J from Newbury has sent my the video of 'Sense and Sensibility' (the first Ang Lee film I think?) so that will be item 1, and then I want to listen properly to the programme broadcast on Radio 4 at 1.30 p. m. today. It was about Denmark & the aftermath of the cartoons. The listen again facility is wonderful!

My Current Reading

I'm reading 'The Story of the Night' by Colm Toibin. It's the story of a man living in Buenos Aires during the Malivinas/Falklands War. It is an interesting study of an outsider - the man's father is Argentinian, his mother British. Living in London - a city full of outsiders - young people away from their families, people from abroad in a strange land this book is an interesting view of someone who is an outsider and yet a part of what is going on around him.
I also find it fascinating as an impression of what it might be like to live in a dictatorship and the mass emotions that can be so easily generated. Also, how most people shut their eyes and don't speak about things that are happening. Anyone else read this book?

Global Warming!

Just had an e-mail from N currently in Ottawa - complaints there, because it is too warm at minus 11 centigrade instead of minus 25. Big problems I reckon! If Greenland melts Ottawa might be under water.

The Oscars

If Dame Judi can't make it to the Oscars my friend J & I want to represent her. Who would you like to go in place of?
I wanna meet the stars of Brokebank Mountain myself!

Ads

Interested to see an ad for Badger Balm when I went to the February archive - talk about appropriate! Go look - wonderful products from Woodruffs of Winchester!

Read my film review

Wanna know about Brokeback Mountain - my review is in my January Archive.
The sountrack is great too - I bought mine at HMV at Gallions Reach East London - comment me if you wanna know more - I like comments!

Two questions

OK - I'm not very bright but could someone tell me which character Heath Ledger was playing in Brokeback Mountain & which was played by Jake Guyyinall (wrong spelling). I'm very confused.
Secondly - anyone out there watching Shameless on Channel 4?
Comments please!

A Wednesday picture!

OK so its Brokeback Mountain again - but I like it!
My review is in the January archive - and yes I've borrowed this picture (with permission) from another site. Thanks Rick
More info at www.rickchris.com

Wonderful Technology

My friend B who lives in Spain sent me an e-mail with a film attached. He's just bought a camera that can do this wonderful technology. How great is it to be able to see people throughout the world. Is this better than old fashioned letters? I think so. I'm so impressed by the good technology can do - and how it can change lives for the better. Pity about the down side though.

Themes for Tuesday

Later I'll be writing about badgers (heroes or villains) and the Coroners Courts Reforms. Things to do first.
OK so it is now after 9 p. m.
1) Badgers: Heard this radio programme about cattle with TB. The farmers want to destroy the cuddly badger because they are certain that this animal causes TB in cows. When a cow reacts positive to TB they have to be destroyed, milk cannot be sold & no cattle can be moved. The UK tax payers must pay compensation. Now, the government want to reduce compensation so the farmers want to eradicate the badger to stop the TB. Easy solution? Bozarrely, studies have shown that when a cull of badgers occurs, TB incidence declines on those farms, but rises sharply in adjoining areas. Perhaps the badgers get wind of the cull and rush off taking the disease with them.
As usual the science (and scientists) don't give you clear answers. Will that stop farmers on a campaign of badger elimination - maybe not. A shame though to see another species driven to extinction. Would be good if science could give an accurate assessment about global warming.
2) Coroners. This is a work related issue. Coroners have been around for 600 years. However, they are too variable in their efficiency and judgements. The Shipman case (mass murder by doctor of his patients) was not detected by the current system of death certification and supervision by coroners courts. The current system is not very friendly to relatives. They often find that inquests take place a year or more after the death of their loved one. The manner of court proceedings does not really allow for investigation evidence to be tested properly - relatives are not usually represented by legal counsel. What is being proposed is an improvement. There could be second opinions about causes of death, the process will be more centred on relatives, Coroners must have legal qualifications, and they are to become full time and salaried rather than part-time and paid according to the work they do. There will also be a Chief Coroner as well. A step in the right direction.

What happened to bird flu?

Sorry - couldn't resist another Brokeback moment!
I got this from the website of an artist producing pictures based on the film. However if you acess be warned - it is a gay site - some of the pictures on there may well offend!
Two things for today. What happened to bird flu. One minute we're being advised to stock up with tinned goods and water and candles because bird flu is going to carry off half the population - the next there is nothing on the media anwhere, at all, nothing. Did it stop in Turkey? Will somebody tell me so I can start eating my way through all the tins before they go part their sell by date.
Secondly - the people who were two days ago demanding free speech to allow the publication of some offensive cartoons are today demanding the arrest and punishment of people who demonstrated with some offensive ( and threatening) banners and placards. No consistency there then.
At least the man who dressed up as a suicide bomber has publicly apologised - but a tad late for an apology I reckon. Some people just have no sense whatsoever. The world has gone totally mad I think.
PS -My Brokeback review can be found in the January Archive - click on it to see it.

Thoughts for the day

I have seen (by accident) the cartoons (or at least one of them) now causing so much trouble in the world. I have to say I wasn't impressed. The one I saw reminded me of the depiction of the jews in 1930s Germany. I found it offensive - and unintelligent.
Unusually I found myself in agreement with Jack Straw. I heard him speaking in an interview on BBC radio this lunch time. In outline he was supporting freedom of speech, but believed that this right did not obligate someone to offend or advance reasonable argument by such unnecessary attack. I agree - freedom is not the same thing as licence. Respect and understanding should be part of political debate. Whether or not the Koran permits the depiction of the Prophet is neither here nor there. Showing by means of exageration or racial stereotyping (whatever that might mean) no one is advancing the debate about the wrongs of extremist religions.
If by displaying offensive materials the extremists on either side are given support to their prejudices then we are all the losers - once the centre ground is abandoned and fought over by the extremists then that way is violence and unrest, gradually gaining greater and greater involvement from the moderates.
As someone remarked - you may be free to make offensive remarks to me - to ridicule me - and urge others to attack me. That is freedom of speech. But beware there may well be consequences - and you may find that you have achieved nothing but hurt to yourself as a result. The demonstartions in London and the burning of Embassies are unacceptable and need to be condemned but is this the effect that may have been caused by licence in the name of freedom?

Another picture

I just cannot resist more Brokeback pictures!

A Saturday Hello!

There isn't a great theme to today's blog - just musings on things going around at the moment. It is just so cold here in London at the moment. I blame the groundhog above myself - saw its' shadow and so we will have another month of winter I gather. Not only that but they are constantly talking about drought and standpipes in the streets come summer. We're always on the cusp of disaster somehow. No wonder whales are getting confused and seem to be constantly beaching themselves or swimming up the Thames!
George Galloway (fresh from his triumph as a cat impersonator) gets put in prison in Egypt before Jack straw begs the Cairo authorities to keep him - I expect his experience in Big Brother was good training for an Egyptian jail!
I still keep having flashbacks to Brokeback Mountain , and find the soundtrack strangely comforting.
I tried out my TENS machine on my knee today - not sure if I slightly overdid the electric current though - will have to experiment with the controls.
And now I will do my weekly e-mail to my friends to update them with my goings on - it usually provokes a variety of resonses to entertain me for the rest of the weekend!

There's something about Fridays

There was this item on tonight's 'PM' avout donating your body for science (and anatomy study). After your death that is. Well you have to arrange it before death - if you see what I mean - but they don't start cutting you up until after you've gone. This article said it wasn't as easy as it might appear. Sometimes the body isn't suitable (mind boggles) and then the School of Anatomy gives the body back for disposal after they've done whatever they want to do. Perhaps I'll go back to cremation after all. Burial has been a big no-no since I saw an Edgar Allan Poe story on TV about burial alive. Don't fancy that at all!
I broke off to book tickets to 'Tosca' at the Hackney Empire. My favourite opera by far, and I end up going at least once a year. The Hackney Empire is probably a good place for an opera - grand, Edwardian, recently renovated (stars of the ceiling). A former Music Hall, and I'm sure the Music Hall clientelle weren't too bothered about the area, but I wouldn't go there alone late at night somehow.
I'm not really someone who worries too much about the dangers of city life, but I think you need to be sensible. I was in New York a few years back staying in a better part of the city - but even there I witnessed armed police making arrests, and dealers openly on the street. There were times when I felt concerned there. However, the American 'out of towners' staying in the same hotel appeared completely terrified to go out, and regretted not bringing their guns with them for the visit!
I've finished the Bernice Rubens book that we're reading for the book group I attend. Not my favourite of her books, but it did make some interesting points. It was a study of family dynamics, where each member saw the problems very differently. The hero saw himself as the scapegoat for all family ills - so much so that he was driven to insanity. The others saw him more as the manipulator, the puppet master destroying the family.
I'm now on to another book discussing dilemmas. I came across it by accident - 'The Dangerous Sports Euthanasia Society' by Christine Coleman. I am quite enjoying, although it cannot be said to be great literature. I am getting through it very quickly.
I've been so moved by seeing the film 'Brokeback Mountain' that I went out and bought the sountrack. The first CD I've bought in ages. Sat and listened to it and started to weep. How sad am I?

Free Speech?

Two things are bubbling up today. Cartoons published in a Danish publication depicting the founder of Islam are causing tremedous unrest throughout the Muslim world. In Britain the leader of a neo Nazi party managed to avoid conviction on race hate charges, although the speeches he had made seemed remarkably offensive to me, claiming that the Koran was justifying appalling (alleged) actions by Muslims against women.
In both cases it is suggested that there are issues of free speech involved. However, I cannot believe that suggesting the Prophet Mohammed is somehow a suicide bomber, that all asylum seekers are theives, rapists and murderers, and Muslims are hell bent on the destruction of western civilisation and democratic values contribute to rational political debate.
In the 1930s political cartoons were used to whip up hatred against the jews in Germany, justified the elimination of the rich peasants in Russia, and formed part of the irrational propaganda of many nations.
Satire can be a healthy part of any democracy, and the lampooning of political leaders part of everydauy life, but the evolution of a concerted attack on a minority of people extending the failings of extreme members to the totality is not free speech - it is just rabble rousing. As the vast majority of paedophiles in Britain are white men does this justify an attack on all white men? I don't think so. Why should the maintenance of free speech mean the broadcasting of irrational, unsubstantiated prejudices? This is the way of fascism - whether it be of the right or the left, the religious or the secular.
I find it interesting that in France there are so many concerns about religious symbolism being eradicated. Last year in Paris whole parts of the city rose up in rebellion against their constant oppression. It appears that the suburbs at the centre of the unrest contain not just those of african origin, but those who are regularly discrimated against in employment housing an education. There are remarkably few people of colour in the French media - do those of North African origin regularly read the news on French TV, are the names of those of West African origin to be seen as authors of articles in Paris Match? Meanwhile, many of the suburb dwellers are third or fourth generation French born citizens. One of the rioters said 'They will not accept us as French. Never will we be accepted'. Many of these people are Muslims - although they are not fundamentalists - yet.
I reckon this is going to run and run - there are riots worldwide now.

Apologies

Found this on another site - but I just loved it so passing it on.

Today's Topic?

I'm up earlier than usual - so you've all got 8 hours to decide on my topic for today. Let me know by comment or e-mail via my profile.
So far I'm thinking about these cartoons recently published in Denmark & other European countries lampooning Islam, or a radio programme I heard today about last year's Paris riots.

First February

Now this isn't another post about Brokeback Mountain, but it is still having an impact on me - so I found this picture and I'm adding it today. I'm pleased that I've managed to continue daily bloggings for so many days, and I've also done a private journal every day so far this year. Today I went to the hospital for the second physiotherapy treatment on my hip. I can't say that my local hospital is wonderful. I'm not sure whether it is the constant building work or the central tunnel like corridor that goes the length of the building or the generally magnolia like decor that epitomises bland. Certainly there are no obvious maps or signingt so this central corridor is awash with people wandering disconsolately through out the building with a pervading air of the lost. Although they don't look anything like as good as the characters on the TV series of the same name!

I'm not sure how this treatment works - the basic principle is that four electrodes are stuck around the area of my pain and low level electricity is sent through the nerve endings. It confuses the pain I'm told. Certainly the pain does disappear for a while. It goes for longer each time. This is good news. I don't know why it came as a surprise that the physiotherapist is blind - it makes the allocation of the electrodes an interesting process - especially when she has cold hands! Another appointment next week.

Tonight I'll be watching Julian Clary tracing his family history - I found Stephen Fry's episode last week fascinating, and moving - especially the trip to Vienna.